Academic Departments

The Arabic Language Department recognizes the importance of language in learning, as research confirms that students learn best using their mother tongue in a curriculum that reflects their culture and identity. Students are exposed to various forms of literature from their early years in school, as they engage with carefully selected stories, poems, essays, and non-fiction texts. They learn about important Arab authors, poets, and thinkers in context to broaden their understanding of the history of Arabs and the contemporary issues facing society. In addition to our vast selection of books in the library, each class is equipped with a class library where students borrow books that interest them to read as part of the curriculum. During reading workshops, students practice deepening their understanding of what they read and make real world connections. Students explore various writing genres, such as stories, articles, memoirs, and poems. They explore the role of language in communication and exchange of ideas. In order to bolster the students’ self-confidence and their ability to express themselves in their native tongue, the students put on various plays and poetry recitals in Arabic throughout the school year with their parents in attendance. Understanding its societal role in the preservation of the Arabic language and heritage, the school created “Darat Al-Ishraqat Al-Adabiyya” (The Haven of Literary Splendor), which is an organization that aims to increase awareness of literature, poets and authors by focusing on one personality every year. Such literary personalities include Al-Mutanabbi, Bader Shaker Al-Sayyab, Antarah, Ibrahim Touqan, and others. Activities are held in conjunction with other schools and include poetry recitals, debates, research and dramatic interpretations. In grade eleven, students enrolled in the International Baccalaureate can choose between Arabic A (Language and Literature) and Arabic B (Language Acquisition), while the national education (Tawjihi) students study the curriculum and coursework assigned by the Ministry of Education.

Amman National School believes that the acquisition of the English Language, as an additional language, is imperative in our global world. We aim at taking the learners to a degree of efficacy in all aspects of the English Language, thus helping them transition smoothly to their choice of the high school program and university major. Our mission is to inspire students to love literature and become confident readers and writers. We do this by immersing them in quality literature from the earliest stages. We have adopted the curriculum “Units of Study in Reading and Writing” from Columbia University. This program offers a variety of reading and writing units focusing on a specific theme or genre. Each reading and writing unit contains teacher mentor texts to model skills, as well as a carefully curated library with a variety of books that appeal to diverse interests and reading levels. Grammar is intertwined into the program as students learn grammatical skills and apply them to their work. In English classes, students listen to carefully selected stories, poems, and essays read aloud by their teachers. They read books in class and participate in guided reading groups and book clubs with their peers. They analyze texts to understand the authors' crafts and styles and bring their own experiences and voices into their writing pieces in order to persuade, inform, entertain, and touch others who read their work. Literature becomes a path not only for learning reading and writing but also for learning about personal and global issues. We believe that differentiated learning is crucial as our students come to us with a wide range of language proficiency skills. We design our curriculum and teaching methods to challenge each student at his/her level. In grade eleven, students who enroll in the IB program may choose between Language Literature and Language Acquisition courses. While the students who enroll in the National Stream (Tawjihi), study in grade twelve the curriculum assigned by the Ministry of Education.

Our Mathematics Department is dedicated to providing students with a comprehensive understanding of mathematics and its applications in everyday activities and various aspects of our lives. We strongly believe that a solid foundation in mathematics is crucial for success in other subjects, higher education, and various vocations. To achieve this, our curriculum focuses on expanding students' mathematical knowledge, fostering their understanding of various mathematical terms, and equipping them with the skills to apply concepts in real-life contexts. Our teachers employ a range of tools and techniques to help students develop personal traits such as accuracy, patience, independent thinking, organization, task completion, and confident decision-making. These skills not only enhance their mathematical abilities but also benefit them in other areas of their lives. Creating a positive learning environment is our priority. We want students to genuinely enjoy mathematics, recognize its value and usefulness, and understand its contribution to the development of culture and civilization. We actively encourage students to engage in the learning process, ask questions, and explore the diverse applications of mathematics in the world around us.

The Department of Religious Studies aims to create a solid moral foundation upon which students can grow in their minds, bodies, and spirits. By examining the true meaning of religion, students explore positive values such as empathy, forgiveness, patience, and humility. Open and constructive dialogue between students and teachers is essential to develop independent and consciences thinkers, who reject fanaticism and intolerance. Students learn about the cultural heritage of our nation and its role in expanding religions and establishing traditions. The school offers Islamic and Christian Education classes as determined by the Jordanian Ministry of Education.

The Social Studies Department draws from various disciplines such as history, geography, civics, psychology, business, and global politics. The students learn about the true meaning of equity, justice, diversity, and international mindedness through a carefully designed anti-bias curriculum. Our goal is for students to be rooted in their culture and their identity while being open, respectful, and responsible global citizens. Through research and critical thinking, students analyze primary and secondary sources from historical events and current affairs. They reflect on their roles as change agents in political, economic, social, and environmental issues facing the world at large and the Arab region in particular. There is an emphasis on inquiry, active learning, and collaborative projects where students communicate their learning with an audience through different formats, such as engaging in debates, publishing research papers, performing, and setting up a museum. Our curriculum extends beyond the classroom to offer diverse learning experiences that include meeting with experts, visiting historical and archeological sites, attending regional events, and hosting student-led conferences. Interested students may also participate in Model United Nations (MUN), an academic simulation of the United Nations where students from different schools play the role of delegates from various countries and attempt to solve real-world issues.

Science at Amman National School stimulates curiosity, evokes imagination, and encourages critical thinking. By highlighting the human dimension in scientific inquiries, students use their scientific knowledge and expertise to further expand their understanding of themselves, others, and the world they live in. Our goal is to help students appreciate the role of science in bringing about change in ourselves and in societies. Adhering to the scientific method, students analyze and solve problems, interpret phenomena, conduct experiments, and evaluate their work. They work as scientists; asking questions, investigating, researching, designing, experimenting, and verifying. They use technology as a tool to further broaden their investigations and present their work. The school has four advanced and fully equipped labs: one to serve the elementary school and three other labs for physics, chemistry, and biology.

The Design Department provides an exciting curriculum that offers a broad range of projects and hands-on opportunities for students. The school's innovative design spaces, with cutting-edge technology, help foster creativity and imagination allowing students to design, create, and test products within a variety of contexts. In design classes, ideas come to life as students practice woodworking, sewing, cooking, laser cutting, 3D printing, and electronics. Learning does not depend solely on the product; instead, the learning experience happens throughout the process, from the early planning and research stages to the final presentation. In addition to designated weekly classes, design projects, which combine science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM), are integrated into the curriculum. For example, first graders design and build boats as part of their inquiry into sinking and floating, second graders create musical instruments as they explore sound, and sixth graders build burglar alarms as part of their study on electric circuits. Our aim is for students to see design as part of their everyday life and understand the social, environmental and ethical implications of designing and creating solutions.

Technology today, is more than a tool to access information or to communicate. It is an indispensable skill, interwoven into every aspect of our lives. The ICT department offers innovative resources and solutions that incorporate the latest technology features in teaching and learning in a safe manner. To meet the different technology needs, the school provides access to technology in different ways: • High-speed internet connectivity available everywhere in the school. • Three specialized computer labs where students take ICT classes including software literacy, coding, and digital design. • All classrooms and multi-purpose rooms are equipped with PCs and projectors. • School computers and laptops are available for students’ use in the library. • The school provides tablets for students in Kindergarten and Elementary school to use in specific class projects. • Computer science is offered as an IBDP subject. • Students in grades 5-12 bring their own laptops to class on a daily basis.

The Visual Arts department is dedicated to nurturing the creative artist inside every student. We strive to ensure that our students value art in life and are comfortable using it as a tool for communication and self-expression. Students, from an early stage, explore various art forms, styles, and contexts to create connections to the different ways humans express ideas and emotions. Students observe the world around them for inspiration and provocation, and learn to find beauty in everyday objects and places. Our promising artists actively engage in the art-making process: planning, creating, exploring mediums, and reflecting upon their practice in order to develop their unique ideas and art pieces. They practice various art techniques such printmaking, ceramics, photography, sculpting, painting, and collage. Students are guided to move beyond what they already know and take creative risks in search of new grounds. Art at Amman National School expands beyond the art studio; students incorporate art in their work to enrich other subject matters. For example, students illustrate their poems and stories in Language classes, create models inspired by field observations in Science classes, and illustrate concepts and historical events throughout Social Studies classes.

At Amman National School, we believe that music is a joyful experience and an essential part of culture. It is an integral part of the child’s learning process. Therefore, our aim is to harness music in every child and create a love and appreciation for this it. The curriculum draws from expert methods in teaching music, such as Orff, Kodaly, and Dalcroze. In music classes, students engage in singing, playing instruments, composing, improvising, dancing, and performing. They create, perform and respond to different genres, musicians, and composers and analyze music from a societal, cultural, and historical context. The music department organizes a variety of musical opportunities for student participation such as the choir, band, orchestra, and musical plays. The music rooms are large to allow freedom of movement and are equipped with a wide range of student instruments including violins, guitars, drum kits, cellos, djembes, cajones, xylophones, and ouds. As music is meant to be listened to, students perform what they learn in class in front of an audience. This not only spreads the joy of sharing music, but also emphasizes the collaborative aspect of music and helps develop self-confidence. Through all this, we aim to make music an enjoyable learning experience that the students will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

The physical education department at Amman National School aims to help students understand the importance of sports and its positive effect on both physical and mental health. The department helps students gain the skills and knowledge needed to keep a healthy and active lifestyle, in addition to strengthening sportsmanship, teamwork, and individual and group distinction. In the primary years, we focus on building different fitness components. In the middle years, we introduce and teach different sports to help students choose their favorite sport. Through the high school years, students are encouraged to keep on improving their fitness level and practicing their favorite sport. The school has different sports teams: football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, badminton, and other sports. These teams are supervised and trained by professional coaches, and they represent the school in different tournaments. Through training with the teams, students acquire many qualities that build their personalities and self-respect such as commitment. Our playgrounds facilitate our students’ practicing different sports freely. We have a football field, basketball court, volleyball court and an indoor court. Making sports a part of our student’s daily routine is the goal that our department works hard to achieve.